The Cook Out Clash is a non-points event that unofficially gets the NASCAR Cup Season started, but the official start comes when the teams drive through the tunnel at Daytona International Speedway for Speedweek.
The Daytona 500 is the most prestigious race of the year and is a race like no other filled with pomp and circumstance.
Comedian and actor Nate Bargatze has been named the Grand Marshal for the 68th running of the Daytona 500 and will give the command with the most famous words in motorsports.
He joins fellow actors Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, James Franco, Vince Vaughn, and Owen Wilson as people who have given the command at the Daytona 500.
Actor Kurt Russell has been named the Honourary Pace Car driver for the Daytona 500.
When the green flag drops for the Daytona 500 on February 15, Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron – who has won the last two 500’s – is looking to be the first driver to win three Daytona 500’s in a row.
And the 2026 Daytona 500 will see a return to The Chase. While there will still be 16 drivers competing for the championship, there will be no more elimination races in a battle for the championship.